Ostra Mała

Ostra Mała is a hill in the Rudawy Janowickie, a range of the Western Sudetes, 945 metres above sea level. It is the highest point of the whole Rudawy Janowickie and forms the south-western peak of the Skalnik massif, which it directly borders.

Rocks of Karkonosze granite

The summit is built of Karkonosze granite, which on Ostra Mała has taken on fanciful rock forms. On the main summit rock, steps leading to a viewpoint on its top were cut in 1886.

Horses of the Apocalypse

On the southern slope of the hill there is a rock formation called the Horses of the Apocalypse (Konie Apokalipsy). It was named by scouts during an operation to put out a grass fire on the spot.

View from the summit

The whole slope and summit are covered by lower montane spruce forest, and the area lies within the Rudawy Landscape Park. From the viewpoint by the steps a panorama unfolds over the Karkonosze and the Jelenia Góra Valley, and on days without haze you can see Mount Ślęża from here.

Trails on the ridge

Four tourist trails marked in different colours run along the ridge of the Rudawy Janowickie through the Ostra Mała area, including sections of the European E-3 trail and the Main Sudetes Trail. These are the trails that lead hikers to the summit and further along the ridge.

Practical information

• The hill lies in the Rudawy Janowickie, near the village of Gruszków, in Karkonosze County.
• Access is via walking trails running along the ridge of the Rudawy Janowickie, including sections of the E-3 trail and the Main Sudetes Trail.
• On the summit, be ready for a climb up steps cut into the rock to reach the viewpoint.
• Nearby there are also other peaks of the Rudawy Janowickie, including Wielka Kopa, and attractions in Kowary itself, such as the Kowary Adits and Bolczów Castle.